Alcoholism Studies on Genes/Metabolism

A recent study was published in “Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research” stating that an individual’s genetic makeup is a determining factor on how they react to alcohol. Two genes the ADH1B and ALDH2 can increase the chances of someone falling to alcoholism. However, men and women who have these active genes respond differently to them. For men, having the ALDH2 gene will slow the development of alcoholism whereas women who have that gene may be more susceptible to alcoholism. The ALDH1B and ALDH2 genes in a person’s body are responsible for removing the majority of alcohol an individual puts into their system. Women who do not have an active ALDH2 gene are likely to be more susceptible to depression and other psychiatric disorders making them more likely to self medicate through the means of alcohol abuse. In the past, it was thought that the various sizes of men and women did not affect the rate at which addiction occurred. New studies are showing an individual’s metabolism plays a role in how suspect one is to alcoholism. These new studies are likely to change treatment methodologies for particular cases of alcoholism.